System and method for limiting chemotherapy-induced alopecia

Abstract

A cold cap adapted for connecting to a chiller unit for circulating chilled fluid through the cap. The cap is formed from at least three layers of material which are sealingly attached around their periphery so as to form a cooling fluid chamber, wherein the cap is configured to apply compression and cooling to the scalp.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cold cap for use in limiting chemotherapy-induced hair loss in a patient, said cap adapted for connecting to a chiller unit for circulating chilled fluid through the cap and receiving pressurized air for supplying compression to the scalp of a patient, wherein said cap comprises:
 at least three layers of fluid impermeable material which are sealingly attached around their periphery so as to form a cooling fluid chamber configured to cool the scalp when chilled fluid is circulated through the cooling fluid chamber, and an air chamber configured to apply compression to the scalp when pressurized air is supplied to the air chamber; 
 fluid inlet and outlet conduits in fluid communication with said cooling fluid chamber and configured for detachable attachment to a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet of the chiller unit; 
 air inlet tubing in communication with said air chamber; 
 a first internal seal that seals said at least three layers to one another, said first internal seal spaced inwardly of the sealed periphery of said at least three layers so as to provide additional support and define a serpentine flow pattern within said cooling fluid chamber, thereby defining a flow pattern by which chilled fluid can be circulated over and about the patient's head so as to provide generally uniform cooling of the patient's scalp; and 
 second and third internal seals located along opposite sides of said cap, said second and third internal seals extending inwardly from the sealed periphery of said at least three layers, such that each of said second and third internal seals together with an adjacent portion of said sealed periphery define regions within said cap that are not in fluid communication with said cooling fluid chamber; 
 
       wherein said cap is adapted to be worn by the patient such that the cap extends in surrounding relationship to and conforming to the patient's scalp, with said regions not in fluid communication with said cooling fluid chamber extending over the patient's ears such that cooling is not applied to the patient's ears during use. 
     
     
       2. The cold cap of  claim 1 , wherein said air chamber is located between a first layer and a second layer of said at least three layers, and said cooling fluid chamber is located between said second layer and a third layer of said at least three layers, and further comprising a plurality of columnar seals extending between and connecting said second and third layers, wherein said columnar seals act as support columns and break up water flow through said fluid cooling chamber.